LUBBOCK, Texas - The team of Daniel Harper, Alistair Moona,
Vernon Norwood, and Bralon Taplin earned top honors in the men's 4x400 M relay
in the final event of the two day Texas Tech Open Saturday afternoon, while the
Lady Texans lost a close race to host Texas Tech University to finish second in
the women's relay.

The Texan quartet was able to earn the victory with a time
of 3 minutes, 10.11 seconds even with a bobbled first exchange between leadoff
leg Harper and Moona.

Returning all-American performers Shana-Gaye Tracey, Sparkle
McKnight, Janeil Bellille, and Natoya Goule composed the women's 4x400 M relay
team. The first three relay legs kept
Lady Texan anchor Goule within a few meters of the Lady Raiders. Goule made the spectators inside the Athletic
Training Facility gasp as she nearly pulled even with the Texas Tech anchor
coming off the final curve, but was not quite able to completely close the gap
on her opponent.

During the two day meet the Texans and Lady Texans were
entered in only five events and came away with victories in three with Taplin
winning the 600-yard dash and anchoring the Texan 4x400M relay; and with
McKnight outleaning her teammate Bellille in the women's 600-yard dash.

South Plains College will likely be more completely
represented in all events next weekend when they return to the Athletic
Training Center January 20-21 to compete in Texas Tech's second invitational of
the 2012 indoor season.